Strength in Reserve (and Periodicals too)

There were two incidents reported in the last week:

On 2/20, in the Law Library, four non-Law students tried to remain in the library after hours. Security monitors were eventually able to get all of them to leave.

On 2/25, a student entered the Bio-Medical library to call the police--he set his backpack down outside a bathroom on the tunnel level (outside the library) and when he came out of the bathroom it was gone. He filed a report with the UMPD.

--Matt Bowers, Libraries Safety & Security Coordinator

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 02:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A winter storm warning is in effect from 6pm Friday, 23-Feb to 6pm Sunday, 25-Feb.

This will affect: Maggie, Adam?, Marie, Jacey, Marge, Brent, Alicia, Daryn C and myself.

If you are scheduled to work during this time, and you are wondering whether the Libraries have closed, there are two ways to find out:

1) Check for University-wide closing on the radio: WCCO at 830AM.
2) Call 612-624-4520. There should be a voicemail recording announcing whether the Libraries are closed.

For more information, check out http://staff.lib.umn.edu/fom/ecp.html.

It won't be especially cold, but it will be windy and icy with fast-accumulating snow. The plows will have a tough time keeping up with it. Be safe on the road (and get off it where possible)!

Posted by Charles Heinz at 08:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At the end of Spring semester, we will be moving around 30,000 bound journals to the Libraries MLAC storage facility. Among other benefits, this will mean many many many less tight titles, because we'll have so much free space on the shelves!

Click here to see the journey our periodicals will take to get from Wilson to MLAC.

Below is a message from the librarians who made decisions about which 30,000 will be moved:

As happens over time, Wilson Library's Periodicals room has reached full shelving capacity, with hundreds of new volumes coming in each month. Libraries strive to keep their shelves at no more than 85% capacity, in order to create the needed space for future growth and ease of use.

As the Libraries move steadily toward more electronic journal access, reduction of binding and staff costs and the space needed to house print journals over time, we are still adding approximately 300 volumes per month to the Periodical Room collection, or 3600 volumes per year, and we are out of room.

To gain the needed space, our goal is to move 30,000 volumes out of the Periodical Room to the Minnesota Library Access Center (MLAC) compact storage facility in Andersen Library.

While we may not be able to have every desired periodical volume available in Wilson Periodicals, we provide a 24-hour turnaround time for paging material from MLAC and delivering it to the user's choice of University Library sites. We can also provide for consulting multiple volumes on-site at MLAC in Andersen Library.

We have prepared a list of journal titles, the back issues of which we believe could be transferred to MLAC with minimal inconvenience to users. These fall into two main categories. The first group comprises journal titles for which we can provide the text to pre-1996 issues in electronic format, titles via JSTOR and other providers. Titles in the second group are those for which we received no issues after 1995 and which are likely to receive less use than titles currently received. Subject librarians have reviewed these ceased or cancelled journal runs in their disciplines and have determined that these could be transferred to MLAC with little inconvenience to users.

Now we want your input!

The lists of titles that we are proposing to move to MLAC ar eposted on the University Libraries wehsbte at http://www.lib.umn.edu/site/permove2007.phtml. Between now and April 1st, please review the lists and identify any titles that you feel should remain in the Wilson Periodical Room. Please send your suggestions for titles you would like to see kept in Wilson to: colldev@umn.edu or by campus mail to Periodicals Project, 170B Wilson Library.

We appreciate your help!

Final transfer decisions will be made in early April and the materials will be moved at the end of the spring semester.

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 04:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

There were several incidents reported around the libraries in the last week.

Wilson Library
On 2/19, a patron reported being a man distributing papers or brochures in the basement of Wilson. The man was approached by staff and informed about library policies regarding the need for library approval of any materials distributed in the libraries. The man left the building

In January, Wilson Library security monitors reported 158 incidents in Wilson Library, as compared to 95 incidents in December. This number includes every time a monitor speaks to a patron about appropriate use of computers, food and beverage policies, and/or disruptive behavior.

Sci/Eng Library/Walter Building
On 2/13, a group of students were arguing loudly. They were asked to quiet down. The group left the building after a few minutes.

On 2/16, a group of non-University students were creating a disturbance in the reference room. UMPD was called. By the time the police arrived, the group had moved to Level F, where the police spoke to them about noise and behavior in the library.

On 2/17, a group of non-University students were in the reference room, being noisy and running around the building. UMPD was called and the police officer ordered the group out of the building.

On 2/19, patrons complained about a noisy group of non-University students that was being disruptive. UMPD was called and the police officer ordered the group to leave the building.

Vincent Hall (Mathematics Library)
On 2/13, in the third-floor hallway, a student had a medical emergency. Paramedics were called and attended to the student.

Magrath Library
On 2/16, a staff member installed a flash drive into a PC, stepped away for a moment, and returned to find the flash drive missing.

Matt Bowers
Library Safety and Security Coordinator

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Our blog has had an increase in spam comments over the past few days. This has included comments that are irritating, like ads for free ringtones. It has also included offensive and pornographic comments, with links to sites wholly inappropriate for the workplace.

It's basically the same type of ridiculous stuff that takes up way too much space in our email boxes. I'm just sorry that we've all had to see it on the blog, especially since the blog is part of our work environment.

I am monitoring the situation and will be cleaning up spam comments one to two times per week. If "junking" these doesn't decrease the problem, we may have to move to a moderated format where comments are submitted/approved before being posted to the blog. While I'd rather have a completely open-access forum where ideas can be published immediately, some level of oversight may be needed if this spamming continues.

Death to spammers!

Any questions or concerns? Let me know.

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 02:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Libraries' Food and Drink Policy http://www.lib.umn.edu/site/fooddrink.phtml has not changed with the opening of the Wilson coffee shop this week. Covered beverages are permitted in most areas (unless prohibited), but food is not. Food is limited to the basement between the doors to the Periodicals Room, the doors to Bus Ref/Gov Pub, and the doors to the stairs and elevators. The Libraries policies will be reviewed after we have experience with the impact of the cafe.
-- Peggy Johnson, Associate University Librarian

This means that no food or uncovered drinks are allowed within the Periodicals room.

All students please comment that you have reviewed this policy. Thanks!

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 11:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)

This is a reminder of our policy about breaks at work, from the "Protocols & Expectations" that each student employee has reviewed and signed.

Breaks:
• Students receive one paid 20 minute break when working a block of four hours.
• Students must take an unpaid 30 minute lunch break when working a shift of eight hours or more.

This means that if you work a block of less than 4 hours, there is no break, unless absolutely necessary.

When working the desk, take your break
1) only when there is coverage
2) NOT when ther is an upcoming shift change between desk students
3) after you have checked with full-time staff & the other student at the desk

All students must comment that you've gotten this info. Thanks!

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 12:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)

There were two incidents reported last week, both from Walter Library.

One incident involved a facilities issue involving a stubborn door lock that caused a problem for a patron. Facilities responded immediately and fixed the problem.

The other incident, reported on 2/11, involved a possible theft. A circulation staff member was asked by two patrons to look for a backpack that had supposedly been left behind the desk as a deposit for headphones. There was no backpack to be found--the staff member returned to the desk, discovering that one of the patrons had left and that the staff member's iPod was missing. The staff member reported the incident to the security monitor.

-- Matt Bowers, Library Safety and Security Coordinator

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 01:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There are some great results to share from a 2006 survey of MN History Day mentors. Students who received mentoring (vs. those who did not) were three times as likely to report that their research skills "improved greatly" as a result of participating in History Day. But the kicker is that those who worked with a mentor AND researched at the University of Minnesota were four times more likely to say that their research skills "improved greatly." The Coordinator of MN History Day (Tim Hoogland, aka "Mr. History") has also shared with Susan Gangl (Wilson Reference Librarian & History Day Liaison) that we are unique in the country for our level of cooperation and support. Thanks to the great work of Susan Gangl and the rest of the folks who provide History Day support in Wilson!

“Wilson Library ROCKS" is what "Mr. History" wrote in the margins of the survey results he shared with me.
-- Jerilyn Veldof

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 01:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just a reminder that a cup o' java is coming to the Lower Level of Wilson Library beginning this Wednesday, February 14.

Get ready for an increase in traffic in our area of the Library. How exciting!

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 06:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here is an important message from the Vice Provost for Student Affairs. This may be valuable information to you or a friend.

The new Student Mental Health web site www.mentalhealth.umn.edu is a web resource designed for students, their parents, faculty, and staff who are looking for student mental health information and related resources at the University of Minnesota. We recommend that you bookmark this site.

According to a recent survey, nearly half of all college students report feeling so depressed that they have trouble functioning, and 15 percent meet the criteria for clinical depression. Untreated depression can lead to suicide, which is the second leading cause of death among college students. Students can access mental
health services at:

• Boynton Health Service (http://www.bhs.umn.edu/services/mentalhealth.htm), and
• University Counseling and Consulting Services (http://www.ucs.umn.edu/).

Disability Services (http://ds.umn.edu) provides assistance with academic accommodations for students with diagnosed mental health conditions.

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Law students are "racking" journals this week. "Racking" - where a periodical is checked out to the student for a year - only applies to certain Law Library materials.

Please read Charlie's previous post about racking which provides details about what to do and the purpose of "racking" from the customer's perspective.

"Racking" does not apply to Wilson Library periodicals. We cannot extend the loan period of journals for Law students.

Some Law students believe that they can get Wilson periodicals for a year because that's what happens at the Law Library. This is simply misinformation based on an understandable assumption that all Libraries on campus have the same rules.

Tips to follow:
1) A clear explanation of our policy is usually all that's necessary.
2) Calling on staff to handle this is always an option.
3) Sometimes it can help to refer them Law library staff (Paula Seeger, Circulation Librarian at 612-625-1547), who are perhaps the best "racking" resource.

See Law Library "Racking Procedure" if interested in the details.

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 05:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Status update -- This could change but as it stands right now:

The Wilson Library Coffee Shop sheet rock walls will be removed Wednesday 2/7/07. The rolling security grill will be in place securing the food area from the public sit down area. Yellow emergency danger tape will be placed around the seating area while the perimeter hand rails are installed.

During the next few days the tradesmen will finish the remaining construction work, equipment/tables/chairs will be placed, UDS staff will be trained, food and facilities code officials will review and sign off, the construction punch list will be completed and the Coffee Shop will open Wednesday 2/14/07.

-- Sharon Folk, UofM Libraries, West Bank, Facilities and Operations Manager

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 03:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

There were several incidents reported in the last week, in Bio-Med and in Wilson

In Bio-Med, there was an incident on 1/28 involving a noisy group of patrons who eventually quieted down after a couple of warnings. Also, on 2/1, an attempted theft of a laptop was reported. UMPD was called and interviewed the patron who reported the incident.

In Wilson, there were incident reports involving facilities issues ranging from water problems to littering. On 1/29, a patron reported that some personal items had been stolen from a study carrel. The patron spoke with a security monitor. On 1/31, UMPD were called to investigate a patron who fit the description of an individual who had been trespassed. After observing the individual, police officers spoke with him and ID'd him. He was not the same person who had been trespassed. Officers said they were happy to check out potential trespassers any time.

Security monitor training sessions were completed last week. Many thanks to Dan Farrar, the security monitor supervisor, and to all library staff who participated in the trainings. Be sure to say hello to security monitors in your building.

-- Matt Bowers, Library Safety and Security Coordinator

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 03:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

http://blog.lib.umn.edu/s-gang/ojo/066415.html

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 09:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)